Container-handling device



A. RICKENBACHER CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE Filed March 30, 1931 Nov. 1, 1932.

37 IIIIIIIIIII/ is operable to support Patented Nov. 1 1932- n'nonrrr mcKEivBAoHEB; or nos anenrns;cnmronnra ooNrArNEn-Hlirrnmna nnvr'cn Application filed. March-30,1931.

This invention relates to a container-han dling device and relates more particularly to a device for holding and for discharging or emptying collapsible tube containers of the type commonly employed to hold tooth pastes, creams, paints, etc. It is ageneral object of the invention practical, and effective device for holding and dispensing the contents of collapsibletube I containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned that is Operable to wrap the closed end part of a collapsible container upon itself to cause the contents to be discharged. 7 o 7 Another object of'the inventionis to pro vide a device of the character mentioned that the tube or container in a position where its discharge end or opening is conveniently accessible. 3 V It is another object of the invention to provide a tube container handling device of .the character mentioned that is operable to press or-discharge all or practically all of the contents from the tube. v i

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the character mentioned that is such that the container ortube may be easily and quickly arranged in the device and maybe easily removed when emptied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container tube handling device of the character mentioned that is sightly in appearance and that may be readily mounted in any desired position or location. ,i V

It is a further obfect; of the invention to provide a device of the character'mentioned that is particularly simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that embodies a minimum number of parts. p

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully'understood from the following detaileddescription of a typi cal form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a front-elevation of the device, illustrating it mounted on a vertical support. Fig, 2 is a side elevationof the device, being a view taken substantially as indicated by to provide a simple,

lapsed to force out or Serialilio; 525K112. line 2 2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical de tailed sectional view, being a view taken sub-' stantially as indicated by line 3- 3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view or elevationof the Washer included in the device. Fig. 5 enlarged transverse detailed sectional view, takenas indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is'an enlarged transverse detailedse tionalviewtaken as indicated by line 6- 6 on Fig 1, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional viewtalren as indicated by line'7-7 on Fig. 2; l r p i The device provided by mypresent invention is intended to handle containers of the type that are adapted to bepressed anol col dispense their contents, for example, collapsible tube containers for holding dentifrice in a paste form, cold cream, paints, etc. It will be apparent that the-invention is capable of embodiment in formsv for handling collapsible tube contain- 'ers holding various articles and forha'ndling containers of'jthis character v varying some what in size and shape. Throughout the drawings, I have illustrated atypicaltube container C arranged in or carried by the dee vice provided by this invention. In accord ance with the common practice, the container G is provided with a reduced discharge end having an opening closed by a cap 10. The closed or outer 'endof the container Cis fiattened and comparatively thin. A typical end clip 12 is'provided on the flattened closed end of the container.

The device provided by the present invention incl-udes,'generally, a bracket or base. 13, acarrier or guide l llfor the container. tube C, a rotatable stem or shaft 15-f0r releasably connecting withthe reducedfiattened-end of the containerC and operable to wrap the container upon itself to-dischargeits contents, and means 16 forpressurally engaging. the tube or container C-to aidin discharging its contents. r

Thebase or bracket 13 is provided to carry or support the guide 14 and shaft, 15 and may be varied considerably in construction without departing from theispirit of the invention. In theparticular form of theinventionjillustrated in "the drawing, the. base .13 is mo adapted to be mounted on either a flat, vertical member, as illustrated in the drawing, or' a horizontal part, as desirec. The particular bracket or base 13 illustrated in the drawing is substantially U-shaped in cross sectional configuration, having a central or mainportion 17Iand spaced flanges 18. Suitable mounting flanges or feet 19 project outwardly in opposite directions from the spaced flanges 18. In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the base 13 is shown mounted on a plate 20. Openings 21 may be provided in the mounting feet 19 to pass screws, or the like, for attaching the base 13 to the plate 20 or other part 011 which the device is arranged. If desired, spaced hooks 22 may be provided on the lower foot or mounting flange 19 to carry tooth brushes, or the like. In accordance with the invention, sides 23 project outwardly from the opposite ends of the main portion 17. The sides 23 are preferably substantially normal to the main portion 17 and are, ac cordingly, substantially parallel. The outer ends of the sides 23 may be rounded, as illustrated throughout the drawing. The bracket or base 13 may be a simple integral part formed of sheet metal, or the like.

The carrier or guide 14 is provided to hold and guide the container tube G. The guide 14 may be formed of sheet metal and is mounted on the main portion 17 of the base between the projecting sides 23. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the guide 14 may be attached to the base 13 in any suitable manner. In the case illustrated in the drawing, cleats or lugs 24 project from the guide 14 and pass through openings 25 in the main portion 17 of the base. The lugs 24 are bent back or clinched over to engage the under side of the portion 17 to securely attach the guide 14 to the base. In the drawing, the spaced lugs 24 are shown bent or clinched over in opposite directions. The guide 14 extends outwardly and downwardly from the main portion 17 of the base, and the projecting portion 26 of the guide may be transversely curved to effectively pass and guide the container tube C. An outwardly projecting back 27 is provided on the upper end of the guide 14. The back 27 extends between and engages the upper edges of the spaced sides 23. The outer end portion of the back 27 may be curved to engage against the curved outer ends of the sides 23.

The stem or shaft 15 extends between and is rotatably carried by the spaced sides 23 of the base. The shaft 15 receives or connects with the flattened closed end of the container C and is in the nature of a rotatable drum on which the collapsed portion of the container C is wound as its contents are dispensed or used. The opposite end portions of the shaft 15 are rotatably supported in transverse openings28 in the sides 23.. The openings 28. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shaft 15 is constructed of an elongated piece of stock of curved cross section bent back upon itself to have spaced parallel parts 29. The shaft 15 is round in its general cross sectional conrm figuration and has a longitudinal slot 30 between its spaced parts 29. The slot 30 is provided to receive the flattened end part and the clip 12 of the container C.

The shaft 15 extends completely through the openings 28 to have its opposite end portions projecting outwardly from the spaced The closed end of the shaft 15, i. e.,'

sic cs 23. the end where the spaced parts 29 are con nected or joined, preferably projects only a short distance from the side 23. A washer 31 is mounted on the closed projecting end of the shaft. The washer 31 is provided to engage the side 23'tohold the stem or shaft 15 against from the opening 28. The washer 31 is illustrated in elevation in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Spaced elongated openings or slots 32 are provided in the washer 31 to pass the spaced portions 29 of the shaft. in the washer 31 may be of substantially the same cross sectional shape as the parts 29 and slidably pass the parts 29. The washer 31 is held between the closed end of the shaft 15 and the side 23, so that the shaft 15 is held against longitudinal movement inwardly through the opening 28. I

An operating knob or handle 33 is provided on the open end portion of the shaft 15 projecting'beyond the side 23. The knob or handle construction operates to engage the side 23 to holdthe shaft 15 against longitudinal movement in one direction. The

mounting of the handle 33 011 the shaft 15 is displacement The openings 32 an important feature of the invention. The

knob or handle 33 is mounted on and surrounds the projecting end of the shaft. The knob or handle 33may be formed of hard rubber, bakelite, metal, or the like. Diametrically opposite keys 34 are provided in the opening 33 of the handle to fit into the slot 30. The keys 34 operate to definitely space the parts 29 of the shaft and to hold the handle against rotation on the shaft. A block or plug 35 is force-fitted into the end portion of the hollow shaft 15 to expand it outwardly to tightly and permanently lock the handle 33 on the shaft. The fit of the parts is such that the forcing of the plug 35 into place tightly andpositively'locks the handle on the shaft15. 1 In assembling the shaft in the device, the

washer 31 is first slid to the' olosed end of the shaft, and theshaft is then arranged in posi tion by inserting it in the opening 28. The; plug is then passed into the open. end of'the shaft 15 and slid to a point intermediate its ends. The knob 33- may then be placed on the projecting open end of the shaft, so that its keys lit the slotp30. The plug 35' is then wedged or forced into positionin the end part of the shaft by passing asuitable tool into or through the'slot 30 to engage theplug and drive or force the pluginto place where it expands the end of the split shaft to effectively lock the handle in position. It will' be apparent that whentheshaft 15 is assembled, in the manner just c escribed, it is permanently held against longitudinal movement and displacement from the opening 28 and is free to rotate. v

- The 'ineans 16 for aidingin pressing or forcing the contents from thecontainer C is in the nature of a spring means that pressurally engages the container to aidin dispensing its contents. Thecontainer C is initially positioned on the; guide 14, and its closed flattened end andits clip '12 are passed into the slot 30. Theshaft 15'is then partiallyro tated or turned in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6 of the drawing to bend the end portion of the container around the shaft. the means 16 is provided to engage or press against the bent portion of the containerC and includes a' leaf spring 36 on the inner side of the back 27 for engaging the container C The spring 36 may have its inner end attached to the back 27 by rivets 37, or the like. The spring 36 is preferably made wide to engage the container C throughout itswidth or a substantial portion of its width. The spring 36 normally projects outwardly from the back 27 toward the shaft 15. In the preferred form of the invention, the outer end portion of' the leaf spring 36 is curved'as illustrated throughout the drawing. The spring 36 is preferably of substantially the same curvature as the back 27, so as to be adapted to lie flush againstthe back upon being forced outwardly by several windings or wrappings of the container C on the shaft when thecontainer is empty or nearly empty.

It is believed that the utility and operation of the deviceprovided by my invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description.- The device may be either mounted in a vertical position, as illustrated throughout the drawing, or in a horizontal position. When mounted in a vertical position, the guide 14projects downwardly and outwardly to support and guide the depending container C. To arrange the container in the device, its flattened'closed end isrin- 7 sertedin the-$101130 and theshaft15 is turned in the direction indicated'by the arrow in Fig. 6 of the drawing. Bending of the end part of thecontainer by turning the" shaft' 15 in thls manner connectsthe container with the shaft 15 so that it is carried by the shaft and depends, as shown throughout the drawing.

When it is desired to force or press-someof" the contents from the container (l the-shaft 15 is further turned in the direction indicated by the arrow', so' that the container is further wrapped about the shaftand' so thatthe spring 36 pressesagainst the container to force out its contents. The spring'36is effective in compressing the end portion-of the container or 'collapsed portions-of the tube will become wrapped about the shaft15. 'As the greater portion of the tube becomes wrapped on the shaft 15, the spring 36 becomes pressed back toward or against the back 27$ The guide 14 and its back 27 are spaced fromand related to the shaft 15 so'that the container C is compressedor squeezed between the shaft 15 and the guide and back as it is drawn-onto the shaft The spring 36 and the outer portion of the back 27, being curved aboutthe axis of rotation of the shaft, are efiective in causing the compression" andcollapsing' of the container 0 as'itis wrapped on theshaft so that its contents are fully pressed from it.

I When the container G has been emptied of its contents, it may be removed ifrom the device by rotatingjthe shaft 15 in the direction-the reverse of that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6 of the drawing and by draw ing out the emptied container. A container may be replaced in'the device in the manner described above. It is to be noted that the present invention provides a 'devicefor' discharging a collapsible tube container that is simple and attractive in construction and that G against'the shaft 15'so-that' the contents in thereduced end part of the container are effectively-pressed out before ice is inexpensive ofma-nufacture. The construct1on1and mounting of the shaft 15 isa feature of the invention, as the shaft is mounted so as to be positively heldagainst displacementi The shaft 15 is inexpensive of construction, 'be1ng formed of a single length of material,

and is retained in positionwithout the use of screw-threaded parts, or the like. The spring, 36 operates to effectively cause the dischargefof the contents from the reduced flat tened end part ofthe containerC and normally exerts a pressure onthe container to ensure the proper discharge of its contents.

Having" described only atypical preferred form of my invention I do not'wish' 't o limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims Having described my invention, I claim v 1. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube container which includes a base havingspaced sides, a shaft extending between the sides and rotatably carried in openings therein, a transversely curved guide for slidably guiding the container to the shaft and supported on the base, a back on the guide extending between the sides and spaced from the shaft the outer endof the back being curved about the axis of rotation of the shaft, the shaft having a slot for receiving the closed end of the container and being operable to wrap the container upon itself and to pass it between the shaft and the back to press the contents therefrom, and spring meansbetween the back andshaft for engaging the container.

2. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube container which includes a base having spaced sides, a shaft extending between the sides and rotatably carried in openings therein, a guide for the container supported on the base, a back on the guide extending between the sides and spaced from the shaft, the shaft having a slot for receiving the closed end of the container and being operable to wrap the container upon itself and to pass it between the shaft and the back to press the contents therefrom, and a leaf spring between the back and the shaft for engaging the container and shaped to lie against the back when the greater proportion of the container is wrapped on the shaft.

3. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube container which includes a base having spaced sides, a shaft extending between the sides and rotatably carried in openings therein, a guide for the container supported on the base, a back on the guide extending between the sides and spaced from the shaft, the outer portion of the back being curved about the axis of rotation of the shaft, the shaft having a slot for receiving the closed end of the container and being operable to wrap the container upon itself and to pass it between the shaft and the back to press the contents therefrom, and a curved vleaf spring carried by the back for engaging the container and shaped so as to lie against the back when the greater proportion of the container is wound on the shaft.

4. A devicefor dispensing the contents from a collapsible tube container which includes, a rotatable shaft having a slot for receiving the closed end of the container, the shaft being operable to wrap the container upon itself, means for rotatably supporting the shaft, a guide for the container spaced lar and having a longitudinal slot for re-' ceiving the flattened closed end of the container, one end of the shaft being closed, and means for holding the shaft against longitudinal displacement from the openings in cluding a washer on the projecting closed end part of the shaft for engaging a side, the Washer having an opening passing the shaft and a Web extending through the slot.

6. In a device of the character described for handling a collapsible tube container, a base having spaced sides, a shaft rotatable in openings in the sides and projecting outwardly from the sides, the shaft being tubular and having a lon itudinal slot for receiving the flattened closed end of the con tainer, one end of the shaft being closed, and means for holding the shaft against longitudinal displacement from the openings including a washer on the projecting closed end part of the shaft for engaging one of said sides, a handle on the other end part of the shaft for engaging the other side, and means for holding the handle on the shaft.

7. In a device of the character described for handling a collapsible tube container, a base having spaced sides, a shaft rotatable in openings in the sides and projecting outwardly from the sides, the shaft being tubular and having a longitudinal slot for receiving the flattened closed end of the conta-iner, one end of the shaft being closed, and means for holding the shaft against longitudinal displacement from the openings including a washer on the projecting closed end part of the shaft for engaging one of said sides, a handle on the other end part of the shaft for engaging the other side, and a pin fitted into the shaft to expand it to grip the handle and hold it on the shaft.

8. In a device of the character described for handling a collapsible tube container, a base having spaced sides, a shaft rotatable in openings in the sides and projecting out- Wardly from the sides, the shaft being tubular and having a longitudinal slot for receiving the flattened closed end of the container,

one end of the shaft being closed, and means for holding the shaft against longitudinal displacement from the openings including a washer on the projecting closed end part of the shaftvfor engaging one of said sides,

a handle on the other end part of the shaft for engaging the other side, a key on the handle co-operating with the slot, and a pin force-fitted into the shaft to expand it to grip the handle.

9. A device for handling a collapsible tube container which includes, a base, spaced sides on the base, a rotatable shaft extending through openings in the sides, the shaft having a longitudinal slot for receiving the flattened end of a container, the shaft being tubular and having a closed end, a washer on the shaft to engage one of said sides, the Washer having a Web extending through said slot, a handle on the shaft for engaging the other side, and a key on the handle fitting the slot.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of March, 1931.

ADOLPH RIOKENBACHER. 

